I love BA

Just got upgraded to Business for my flight to London.
Loved it.

How will I ever go back?!?!

Summer time

Ah, summer is finally here.

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and it is HOT.

I am so sad to think that next summer I wont get a sun tan just from walking to work.
Ah well.

Picnic by the river tomorrow!

Argh!

This morning, we exchanged on the flat above ours in London.
SCARY!

Best boyfriend ever

Just bought me the new iPod shuffle, because it is small and cute like me!

Straya

Coming soon will be a full update about our jaunt to Oz, but not until I recover from the jetlag.
What the hell time is it???

more snow!

According the weather reports last night the apocalypse is coming, but to me it looks like just more lovely snow!

We have a late winter freak snowstorm going on, about 5 inches over night and still snowing now.
But there were interruptions to TV shows and special weather reports last night to warn us all about this terrible weather.

Take cover! The end is nigh!

And it seems I am one of very few idiots who didnt heed their advice and just take a snow day.
If I get snowed in at work I will be most unimpressed.

Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada!

And fabulous it most certainly is.
We had a wonderful weekend and I highly recommend Vegas to anyone and everyone.

We flew at lunchtime on Friday, and got there at dinner time.
Unfortunately some of the booze Simon had been taking (for his conference, not his addiction) went all over my clothes en route so I had to put everything in the laundry.

We were pretty knackered, so we had dinner in our hotel, at Benihana.
It was excellent. I know they do the same stuff in all the Benihana's, but I bet only in Vegas do you find a Chinese chef with really bad teeth doing it all with an Elvis twist!

I of course had the disgusting house cocktail, because it came in a Buddha mug which I got to keep!

The next day we walked from our hotel to the strip, despite our concierge's horror when we asked for directions, it was just a five min walk.
The weather was nice, sunny but not hot.

The strip is insane. Vegas is mostly just a normal town, but with this one stretch of road which is like Disneyland for grown ups.

Everything is themed and covered in bright lights and huge signs. Its crazy.
I will put all the pics on flickr when Simon is back from the conference with my camera.

There is Circus Circus, I bet you can guess what that looks like. And New York New York, a mini Eiffel Tower, Venice complete with canal and gondolas, the Pyramids, and lots of other totally over the top ridiculousness.
I loved it all.

We went into all the hotels which are impeccably well kept.
I thought it would be a bit grubby, but not at all.
Tacky yes, but clean and tidy. There is no litter, not even any gum on the pavement.

All the hotels are like little towns of their own, they all have restaurants, shops and of course casinos and slot machines.
The shops are all designer, way out of my league, but nice to look in.
The restaurants are all pretty fancy too, even if you manage not to lose a fortune gambling just being in Vegas is pretty expensive.

We went to the Secret Garden at the Mirage, which has white lions and white tigers and even a baby leopard. There was also an aquarium with four dolphins, two baby ones!

We saw the fountain show outside the Bellagio, which was incredible, even in the daytime.
And in the foyer of the MGM Grand are another couple of lions, who were nonchalantly chewing on some bones when we got there.

My favourite hotel was the Mirage, because it was were we found a roulette machine with a cosy seat for two people and a minimum bet of just a dollar.
As soon as you start gambling a waitress appears and offers you drinks, which are free, and of course you say yes. Even if it is 11am!

But if I ever went back with loads of money I'd stay at the Wynn, it was really spectacular, and not even themed, just fancy.

On Saturday night we went to Ka, which was incredible. At one point I was so scared by the amazing stunts I thought I might be sick. Luckily no one died.
If you get the chance, see it.

On Sunday we finished the last bit of the strip we hadnt made it to the day before, and went to the shark aquarium at Mandalay Bay which was really cool.

A definite tip - both days we had lunch outside. Saves you from completely losing touch with reality and getting all disorientated from being inside non-stop.

Then we went to the Mirage to spend the last of our pennies on our lucky machine.
We were too scared to play on the tables, it was a $10 minimum bet, so we stuck with the machine.
I think we did bloody well, we bet $300 in all, and came away with $306!!!
A profit, and all those free drinks made it even better!

That night we went to L'Atellier Joel Robuchon.
It was incredible. And deadly.
I ate more calories in one meal than I had in the last month combined, but it was worth it.
We had the six course tasting menu and it was all completely delicious.

After that we hit the machines for a final bet and a final couple of drinks, before crashing.

Sadly it took me all of Monday to get back to NYC, because of delays in Minneapolis and also the time change.
But it was totally worth it.

We're going to ... Vegas baby!!!!!!!!!

more soon.

DUMBO

On Friday I was supposed to go up to Long Island and hit "the mall" with Vicky all day, but I got a migraine which delayed me by an hour, and then I missed my train and was delayed by another hour because of our lift.
The stupid lifts in our building are always broken and very busy, and so I waited 20 minutes to get to the ground floor of the building!

I got there in the end, and its probably a good thing we werent there all day. The place was huge.
So big, in fact, that we needed a map to find our way around.
But we had a mission, to find jeans for both of us, and we had great success.
Little and large (30" leg and 34" leg!) got matching jeans from Lucky in the sale for a mere £35!

Saturday passed in a blur of hangover and chores.

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, and it was actually quite warm too.
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge which was really nice, even though I forgot my camera, and went to a flea market in DUMBO.

It was heaving, and full of tat, but of course we bought stuff.
Simon got an old musical cocktail shaker. Yes, musical.
And a pretty old soda bottle.

I got jewels.
Some little broaches, a necklace and a butterfly hairclip.
Havent worn a hair clip since I was about 6, but I'm willing to give it another try.

My New York weekend

I think I will always remember last weekend as being one of my most "New York" weekends, as in, it was just how I thought all my weekends would be, before I actually moved here.

On Friday night Simon and I got dolled up and went out.
First we went to a super swanky cocktail bar called Death and Co.
There is no standing room, so they dont even let you in until there is a seat free.
But I know a man who knows a man, so in we went.

All the cocktails are fancy, there's no Sex on the Beach here, so after realising that I probably wouldnt like anything on the menu I ordered what looked like a posh rum punch.
It was amazing.

Then we went for dinner.
We were supposed to have the cheap restaurant week menu, but all the other stuff looked so much better and we were drunk on cocktails so we went crazy and a la carte.
The food was all yummy, and the wine was too.

On Saturday we went to Macy's to do some shopping (not for us sadly, but still fun) and then watched a movie in the evening with Chinese take away. It didnt come in those cardboard boxes they have in Friends, but was jolly nice.

And then on Sunday we saw a certain someone, as I may have mentioned, before spending the rest of the day in MoMA.
Despite my reservations about "modern" art, it was amazing.
The contemporary gallery didnt really do much for me, but the photography exhibition was amazing, as were the sculptures and paintings.

And to reward myself for all that culture, I went home and had a delicious chocolate chip cookie!

Spotted

We havent done very well with celebrity spotting since we got to NYC, we've only seen Tom Hanks and Julianne Moore.
They are good, but they are the only ones we've seen.

Until today!

Having lunch in Bubby's we were at a table next to....Harvey Keitel!!
Very exciting.
Oddly enough he looked younger than he does on screen.

And parked outside was a huge Rolls Royce, waiting to whisk him away.

He was also with some other guy we recognised, but have no idea who he was.

Very exciting!

Philadelphia

I went to stay with McMezzle and it was so nice to just hang out in her hood.

I got a bus, for the bargain price of $12, which only took 2 hours from NYC.
It dropped me off by the train station from where I had been reliably informed it would be a piece of cake to catch a cab.

I wandered over to what I assumed was the taxi rank, but found it full of police cars.
I noticed about 10 mounted policemen, then a crowd with placards, and finally a sign on the station door staying "Press Only".

Yes, just as I pulled into town, the president elect was leaving!

So we went to what must be the most popular place in town for brunch, there were people queuing outside in the sub-zero temperatures (I cant remember the name Mez?) for some yummy eggs, wondered round the Italian Market, looked at houses, checked out the weird murals they have on random buildings, saw the old government buildings and the Liberty Bell, got yelled at and whistled out by an officious guard and then...

We went to see the kids from the actual real School of Rock perform!
It was like being back at school at RocSoc, but with a lot more talent.

That evening we went back to the same bar for more bands, Here we go magic, Bear Hands and Department of Eagles who were amazing.
I am now very cool by association!

On Sunday we loafed about, walked through the park to get pastries, wondered to some little shops, watched some American Football and then I headed home.

To lots and lots of snow!
All in all a perfect weekend.

Bitter

For the last few years I have gone to Switzerland with Simon's family for a few days after Christmas.
I love it. The cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine are wonderful.

Sadly this year I couldnt go.

Simon went to the Cayman Islands instead. Without me.

He is now in Switzerland. Without me.

Not that I'm bitter.

Because actually I have the cold, the proper snow, the blue sky and the sunshine right here in Stamford CT.
It is minus 8 today, and apparently will be down to minus 14 by Friday.
Yay!

Although the wind, now that is bitter.

Happy New Year!

Well, here I am back in NYC after a wonderful Christmas in England, where I managed to see lots of people I love.

We had a really good weekend, pootling about in the snow, but now Simon has gone so I am all alone again.

This is when I hate being here. When he is away and I'm in London it is a great excuse for me to go out every night! But here, it just means supper for one in front of the TV.

Its not awful, but not great either.
However, I am greatly in need of lots of quiet and rest at the moment as I have just started a new exercise DVD.

I have only done it twice, and I think it should be used as a form of torture in prison camps.
Which also means I'll stick with it, because I am hopeful it will actually work!

Off to Philly this weekend, so will have many more tales to tell.

Let it snow

Why is it that all I am hearing about in the UK is how much it is snowing, and yet here in NYC, a place that automatically brings to mind thoughts of a white Christmas, there is nary a flake to be seen?

I dont wish to complain, but this could cause me to ask for my money back.

However, all the trees and lights are up all over town and they are sort of making up for it as they are so pretty.
The one outside our front door (which actually belongs to the stock exchange, but I like to pretend is mine all mine) is HUGE.
Really, huge. And so lovely. Walking under it and looking up at all the lights is amazing, and it smells so strongly that its like being in an Alpine forest.
Sort of.

We have our tree up now too, and it is very beautiful and piney smelling and all, but its just a bit...small.

It didnt look that small when we got it (on a street corner, so authentic!) but in our flat, with its ridiculous 12ft ceilings, it is a bit lost.

But still, festive and beautiful.

Legal

Finally, FINALLY, I have my visa.

I am now official and legal and totally allowed to stay in the States for the next year, with no to-ing and fro-ing to get an extension on my dates.

What a relief!

Girls

Sorry, no time for full sentences, this is going to be too long as it is!

Desperately cleaning up after Simon and Keely both had to make loads of drinks in the kitchen for their jobs.
Still scrubbing the floor (sugar syrup!!) when Keely made it back from her job!
Suddenly, doorbell goes, and there they are! Right before my very eyes! Sophie and Gerry!!!
Earlier than expected and I’m not done cleaning, briefly think “bugger”, then run screaming into the corridor to pounce on them as they come out of the lift.
Experience moment of absolute bliss as we settle on the sofa with a bottle of wine.

Head out into the big city for a mini tour, some shopping and then to Ricky’s, which is like a dressing up dream.
Buy final bits of our costumes and Hugh Heffner jacket and pipe for Simon.
Back to the flat, all conk out on the sofa.
Getting ready, drinking lots to be brave enough to effectively just be dressing in underwear.
Vicky and George arrive with some amazing makeup and dresses.
Lots more booze.
Order pizza.
Chase pizza.
Yell at pizza company.
Andy arrives.
Pizza arrives.
Realize we have pretty much missed the parade now – bugger. Stupid pizza.
Go straight to pub, half price drinks for people in costume.
Dancing on benches. Lots of laughing.

Thankfully not too hungover.
Head to Grand Central and pick up McMez.
Go to Central Diner for amazing French toast.
More site-seeing and shopping.
Back home for another nap, out for Mexican, then to Bowery for Tom’s gig.

Off to Central Park for pony ride, discover ponies are banned for the marathon.
Huh, had forgotten about that.
Watch the winners.
Head to ice rink.
Gerry and Merrie too chicken to skate, me and Soph are awesome.
Or rather she is, and she keeps me upright.
FAO Schwartz also fab, and I finally get to run a scale on the giant floor keyboard from Big.
What to do now I have achieved my lifetime ambition?
More shopping, back home, pack, send all girls on their separate ways, weep into Simon’s shoulder.

Love the lovely girls.
Thank you for coming.

Lists

You know you are reaching new levels of panic and anxiety when you have to make a master list of all your lists to keep track of them.

Shortly, I suspect, I will make a list of possible lists that have yet to be made, for fear I lose track of any of them.

Anyone know a good therapist?!

Actually forget that, I just want the drugs.

History

Wow. What an amazing night to be in America.
I was really jealous that I couldn't actually participate, but I feel as though somehow my hoping was almost as good as a vote.

I am equal parts amazed and delighted that America elected its first black President.
Its incredible how far this country has come in a relatively short time.
It is a wonderful statement to the world at large, that people can overcome their prejudices for the greater good.

However, I would hate to see this election become entirely about race.
Let's not cheapen this victory, lessen this man's achievement, or insult the intelligence of African Americans by implying that they only voted for Obama because of the colour of his skin.

There simply arent enough black voters to get a president elected.
Young, old, black, white, and everybody in between - over half this country wanted Obama to be their president.

Because he inspired them.
Because he dared them to hope, and to believe, and he convinced them it was safe to do so.

And whoever had won, the biggest winner really is the country.
So many new voters registered, and most of them did actually show up on the day and cast their vote.
Everyone should be inspired again to see that their voice can be heard, and they can make a difference.
So many of those people were young, and I think that shows us that young people today don't necessarily see race the same way older people did.
They have never known a segregated world and its hard for them to imagine or understand.
They voted, quite simply, for the better candidate.
The one who they believe can help them and their country.
As of course did millions of others.

And now a whole new generation of kids will grow up thinking that a black president is nothing special.
So that when they grow up, whoever they elect, race wont even be an issue.
How amazing is that?


(Although the more I learn about the voting system over here the less sure I am about one vote counting etc etc, but thats a whole other story.)

Dancing on Ice here I come

I have been ice skating TWICE in ONE weekend, which I think now makes me a pro.

I also did lots of other lovely things this weekend, which I will write about shortly.